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Following a sudden Xbox One Marketplace delisting that coincides with reports that some players could no longer play their legitimate digital copies of Far Cry 4, Microsoft has issued assurances that these woes were not the result of draconian Xbox One DRM.

The argument, as outlined by Gamespot, is that the delisting was an accident, and one that was quickly rectified by Microsoft. During the delisting, numerous reports of players being unable to play the game - specifically, digital copies of Far Cry 4 - began to crop up, even after players had deleted and redownloaded the Ubisoft shooter. These reports ceased immediately once the game returned to the Xbox One Marketplace. This leads some to believe that the delisting also took down whatever online verification system is attached to the game, despite Microsoft's claims that the Xbox One does not require constant online verification.

In a statement sent to Gamespot, Microsoft denies that the problems had anything to do with hidden DRM, though the Xbox One manufacturer offers no alternate explanation of what actually happened. Instead, Microsoft responds to the rogue DRM allegations with the following boilerplate statement: "If customers own the rights to a game, they can visit their download history and initiate a re-download whenever they please - even if the game has been delisted from Xbox Store and is no longer available for purchase."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmfar-cry-4microsoftubisoftxbox-oneFri, 09 Jan 2015 15:02:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/02/ubisoft-emerges-unscathed-by-drm-patent-infringement-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/02/ubisoft-emerges-unscathed-by-drm-patent-infringement-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/02/ubisoft-emerges-unscathed-by-drm-patent-infringement-lawsuit/#comments
A United States District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Ubisoft which claims that the publisher violated patents held by Digital Reg of Texas in the design of its infamous uPlay DRM software.

Initially filed in 2012, the lawsuit alleges that Ubisoft (alongside other companies such as EA, Valve and Flash creator Adobe) violated six patents held by Digital Reg relating to remotely tracking access to software after distribution and post-distribution security, among other typical functions of digital rights management software. Judge Claudia Wilken dismissed the case against Ubisoft for "numerous reasons," among them an agreement between Digital Reg and Valve covering third-party use of the DRM patents in question. According to Wilken, Ubisoft's alleged infringement was nullified under the terms of that accord.

Despite this victory, uPlay remains a controversial component of Ubisoft games. As recently as two months ago, the uPlay system was preventing legitimate owners of the PC version of Watch Dogs from playing the open-world hacking adventure.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-reg-of-texasdrmlegalpatentubisoftuplayvalveWed, 02 Jul 2014 16:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/might-and-magic-heroes-6-currently-unplayable-for-many/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/might-and-magic-heroes-6-currently-unplayable-for-many/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/might-and-magic-heroes-6-currently-unplayable-for-many/#commentsUpdate: Ubisoft has issued a new response on Facebook, apologizing for the problems users are facing. The post lists possible solutions to some issues, though it seems that those with problems redeeming keys or with inaccessible content will have to wait. Ubisoft is preforming maintenance today to reauthorize players and "gradually set everything back to normal."

Many Steam and Ubisoft customers are complaining that Heroes of Might & Magic 6 has become unplayable since the release of its recent expansion, Shades of Darkness, and the 2.1 patch that accompanied it. The issue seems to center around Ubisoft's Uplay service, which refuses to accept the download codes issued to customers after they buy the game.

Users are saying that the problem arises after downloading the game and activating their key within Uplay. Upon booting the game, the in-game store page asks for the same key. If the key is entered again, the game produces an error message that the key has already been redeemed. After this, players have access to the Heroes 6 expansions, but are unable to play the main campaign (it's grayed out in the menu).

For its part, Ubisoft has acknowledged the issue on its own forums, assuring users that their keys are "not broken and will be fixed as soon as possible." The company is also recommending a workaround discovered by forum user ElektroDragon, which involves manually downloading and installing the patch instead of allowing the game to do it automatically.

Meanwhile, Steam users have started a petition against Ubisoft, specifically its use of 3rd party DRM via Uplay. The publisher has a rocky history with its PC games, often releasing them long after their console counterparts and saddling them with restrictive DRM. Earlier this year, Ubisoft's Uplay director, Stephanie Perotti, said that the company is working to improve its relationship with the PC community.

We've contacted Ubisoft regarding this latest issue and will update this story if we hear anything new.

Update: The specifics of the problem have been clarified. Thanks to commenter LamiaMistral for providing the image above.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmMight-and-Magic-Heroes-6pcsteamUbisoftuplayMon, 06 May 2013 11:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/ubisoft-wants-better-relationship-with-pc-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/ubisoft-wants-better-relationship-with-pc-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/ubisoft-wants-better-relationship-with-pc-players/#commentsUbisoft is working to smooth out years of open hostility against legitimate customers of its PC products. Speaking with MCV, Uplay Director Stephanie Perotti announced more third-party partners for the publisher's digital distribution network, adding, "It shows our commitment to PC, and we want to improve our relationship with the PC community."

Not mentioned are the notorious delays of the publisher's major games between console and PC launches. Although Far Cry 3 didn't experience the standard PC release lag - since it launched so late a delay would have missed the holiday window - Assassin's Creed 3 arrived a month later on PC. We've yet to see what 2013 brings in terms of major Ubisoft games and how launch timing will shape up.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaydelaysdrmpcubisoftFri, 22 Feb 2013 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/ubisoft-doing-away-with-always-on-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/ubisoft-doing-away-with-always-on-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/ubisoft-doing-away-with-always-on-drm/#commentsUbisoft is doing away with its always-on digital rights management (DRM) policy, the company's worldwide director for online games Stephanie Perotti told Rock, Paper, Shotgun in a recent interview. The policy dictated that those playing Ubisoft's PC games would have to maintain a constant connection to the internet, even when playing single-player content. According to Perotti, Ubisoft PC games will now require "a one-time online activation when you first install the game, and from then you are free to play the game offline." In fact, Perotti noted that this has been Ubisoft's policy since June of 2011.

Digging into the ol' Joystiq archives, it looks like that isn't exactly true. While there have since been high-profile releases that shipped without the typical always-on DRM - notably Assassin's Creed Revelations - others definitely shipped with the restrictive protection. From Dust and Driver: San Francisco, both released after June 2011, each shipped with always-on DRM - only to see Ubisoft patch it out after receiving negative feedback.

Still, if the new policy is now firmly in place, it marks a huge change in direction for Ubisoft's PC releases, especially considering that CEO Yves Guillemot stated only two weeks ago that the company's PC products have a "93-95 percent piracy rate."

Beyond the issue of piracy, Perotti also addressed the customary delays faced by Ubisoft's PC games, saying, "We need to improve our communication, and make sure we provide better visibility to the PC community on our release dates for PC." She added that Ubisoft is "committed" to doing better and releasing its PC games "as close as possible to console releases." As an example, she mentioned Far Cry 3, which is slated to release on the same day as its console counterparts, and Assassin's Creed 3, which arrives November 23, "just a few weeks after the console version."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-ondrmpcpolicyubisoftWed, 05 Sep 2012 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ubisoft-hopes-to-negate-the-need-for-drm-with-support-and-conten/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ubisoft-hopes-to-negate-the-need-for-drm-with-support-and-conten/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ubisoft-hopes-to-negate-the-need-for-drm-with-support-and-conten/#commentsThe contentious DRM systems that often accompany Ubisoft's PC releases may be made obsolete, should the publisher's plans for enhanced post-launch/community support prove as effective as its hoping.

The plan is to make pirating the least attractive consumer option by updating, supporting and providing "companion gaming" services for Ubisoft's PC releases, similar to how MMOs generally function. "As the rest of the game industry continues to evolve, the more you hear about cloud gaming, the more you hear about companion gaming, the less a pirated game should work in all of that environment," said Ubisoft VP of digital publishing Chris Early during an interview with Eurogamer.

By providing a healthy regiment of ancillary content and post-launch support, Ubisoft's PC gaming ecosystem will be so irresistible that people will stop pirating, and once that happens the publisher will be able to relax its DRM standards. Now, eradicating the whole world of theft sounds like it'll take some time, but Early maintains that Ubisoft's DRM will be as convenient as possible in the meantime: "We want to find ways that don't inconvenience that player who is paying for it. We've had a variety of degrees of success as we wind our way down that path. Our plan, our hope is we stay on the less intrusive, less cumbersome side of that path as we go on."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chris-EarlyDRMpcpiracyUbisoftSun, 25 Mar 2012 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/amazon-buy-one-get-one-on-ubisoft-drm-free-pc-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/amazon-buy-one-get-one-on-ubisoft-drm-free-pc-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/amazon-buy-one-get-one-on-ubisoft-drm-free-pc-downloads/#commentsGot five bucks? Want a couple of kinda-old Ubisoft PC games? Well, if you fall within that very niche category of people, a current promotion over at Amazon may be relevant to your needs.

Assassin's Creed, a few Splinter Cells and Far Cry 2 are just a few of the titles you can nab for half a sawbuck -- without that pesky Ubisoft DRM. And, as astute headline reader types will tell you, if you buy one, you'll get one free of charge. The sale ends Saturday.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonassassins-creeddrmFar-Cry-2FC2Ghost-Recon-Advanced-Warfighter-2pcsplinter-cellSplinter-Cell-Chaos-TheorySplinter-Cell-Double-AgentubisoftFri, 16 Mar 2012 10:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/rayman-origins-coming-to-pc-march-29-retail-versions-drm-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/rayman-origins-coming-to-pc-march-29-retail-versions-drm-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/rayman-origins-coming-to-pc-march-29-retail-versions-drm-free/#commentsWith the announcement of release dates for 3DS and Vita, there are vanishingly few platforms left that won't have Rayman Origins. Now the PC joins the platforming party, with a release in both Europe and the United States on March 29. The PC version retains the 4-player co-op functionality of the console versions, and also retains its local-only restriction.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmpcq1-2012rayman-originsrelease-datesteamubishopubisoftThu, 26 Jan 2012 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/anno-2070-drm-grudingly-altered-as-little-as-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/anno-2070-drm-grudingly-altered-as-little-as-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/anno-2070-drm-grudingly-altered-as-little-as-possible/#commentsIt's hard to watch Ubisoft's abusive relationship with PC gamers, but here's another example of the publisher delivering a box of chocolates to the hospital room. Economics and ecology simulator Anno 2070 has some pretty strict DRM, allowing only three installs per copy, which is restrictive but not unusual for the publisher. The crazy part occurred when Guru3D discovered that changing graphics cards on the PC counted as an installation.

The situation hit DEFCON "facepalm" when Rock Paper Shotgun followed up with the publisher to ask if the bug would be fixed, to which Ubisoft responded that the DRM was working as intended. The publisher continued, "On the rare occasion when a customer does need additional activations, Ubisoft customer service is available to quickly resolve the situation, and we encourage those customers to contact us directly so that we can ensure they are able to continue to enjoy their game."

Anno 2070 developer BlueByte has since gotten in contact with Guru3D to say it has removed the graphics hardware from "the hash used to identify the PC." Customers who legally purchased the game can now switch graphics cards as many times as they want, putting them in parity with those who pirated the game.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-2070blue-byteDRMpcrelated-designsstrategyubisoftMon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/ghost-recon-future-soldier-on-pc-replaced-by-ghost-recon-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/ghost-recon-future-soldier-on-pc-replaced-by-ghost-recon-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/ghost-recon-future-soldier-on-pc-replaced-by-ghost-recon-online/#commentsGhost Recon: Future Soldier is not coming to PC, Ubisoft has confirmed -- but never fear, because it is coming to PC. Ghost Recon Online will take the place of Future Soldier on PC, as "Ghost Recon Online is the PC equivalent," Ubisoft tells Eurogamer. In February 2010 Ubisoft teased a PC version of Future Soldier and began forums tagged "PC" for the game, but apparently those plans have transformed into Ghost Recon Online, a free-to-play, non-DRM, multiplayer title that Ubisoft believes will deter piracy.

If released online, 95 percent of PC gamers would download Future Soldier illegally, Ghost Recon Online senior producer Sebastien Arnoult believes, and Online is a direct reaction to that assumption. "To the users that are traditionally playing the game by getting it through Pirate Bay, we said, 'Okay, go ahead guys. This is what you're asking for. We've listened to you -- we're giving you this experience. It's easy to download, there's no DRM that will pollute your experience,'" Arnoult tells PC Gamer.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMfree-to-playGhost-Recon-Future-SoldierGhost-Recon-Onlinepcpiracypirate-bayUbisoftFri, 25 Nov 2011 17:13:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/no-always-on-drm-for-assassins-creed-revelations/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/no-always-on-drm-for-assassins-creed-revelations/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/no-always-on-drm-for-assassins-creed-revelations/#comments
Ubisoft's always on-again, off-again relationship with its restrictive DRM policies is "off-again" for Assassin's Creed: Revelations. Rock Paper Shotgun reports word from the publisher that it will activate an initial check the first time the game boots up -- and then players are good to go with offline play.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-on-drmassassins-creed-revelationsDRMpcUbisoftUbisoft-MontrealThu, 10 Nov 2011 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-will-have-always-on-drm-but-its-out-of-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-will-have-always-on-drm-but-its-out-of-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-will-have-always-on-drm-but-its-out-of-love/#commentsS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will use always-on DRM as "protection from piracy," GSC Game World head Sergey Grigorovich said. A permanent internet connection will be required to load information, codes and quests, much like previous DRM systems from Ubisoft.

"Software piracy is an issue for us; we try to fight it, but within reason," Grigorovich said. "If people can not afford a licensed version, it is to our advantage if they download a pirated copy and then want to buy a license. In Ukraine, there are different products that people love so much that they buy a license in principle. We want to create just such a product."

Studios know fans don't enjoy always-on DRM, and their insistence on using it must mean it works in some capacity. We don't think it's the way to create "products that people love so much," but it's definitely great at making fans suspicious and bitter.

[Update] GSC has clarified its intentions via Twitter: "DRM was only mentioned as a possibility, not a choice." GSC also issued a statement to Rock, Paper, Shotgun: "The idea of implementing DRM came in as a possible anti-piracy solution. You know the severe level of commercial piracy we have here in ex-USSR region. This said however, there is no firm decision to go for DRM with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 as of now. Be assured, we do realize how uncomfortable this solution is for the players, so we'll continue looking for most effective, yet acceptable for all, way of protecting the game by the time of its release."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMGSC-Game-Worldstalker-2UbisoftSat, 08 Oct 2011 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/psa-from-dust-patch-now-available-on-pc-removes-ubi-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/psa-from-dust-patch-now-available-on-pc-removes-ubi-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/09/psa-from-dust-patch-now-available-on-pc-removes-ubi-drm/#comments
Once again, Ubisoft has acquiesced to consumers' demands, with a DRM-removing patch for From Dust now available via Steam. The patch quite literally does nothing else, as the Steam notes describe in extreme specificity that the "Title can be played in offline mode (no connection to the Internet is required after installing the patch)," and that the "Save file is moved from the Uplay/Ubisoft server to the local machine."

Reports confirm that the patch does, in fact, allow for offline play, presumably leaning on Valve's Steam service for DRM in place of Ubisoft's own, highly controversial version. Now if only Ubisoft could patch its studio heads to stop defending the damn thing.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmeric-chahifrom-dustpatchpcproject-dustpsasteamubisoftFri, 09 Sep 2011 10:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/driver-san-francisco-studio-head-defends-ubisoft-drm-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/driver-san-francisco-studio-head-defends-ubisoft-drm-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/driver-san-francisco-studio-head-defends-ubisoft-drm-system/#comments
Martin Edmonson, head of Driver studio Ubisoft Reflections, really doesn't get down with piracy. "You have to do something," he told Eurogamer in a recent interview, when asked about Ubi's PC digital rights management strategy -- which requires an internet verification of some sort for many games to be accessed, including Driver: San Francisco. "PC piracy is at the most incredible rates," he argued. "The game cost a huge amount of money to develop, and it has to be, quite rightly -- quite morally correctly -- protected."

That said, the final decision on which Ubi titles get the infamous DRM goes to the publisher, not the studio. "DRM is not a decision taken by us as a developer at all. It's a purely a publisher decision. The publisher has every right to protect their investment," Edmonson explained. And while we see his point, we can't help but continue to wonder why paying customers are being punished with restrictive DRM after paying for their games.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-rights-managementdriver-san-franciscodrmmartin-edmonsonpcubisoftubisoft-reflectionsFri, 02 Sep 2011 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/from-dust-pc-online-authentication-to-be-patched-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/from-dust-pc-online-authentication-to-be-patched-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/from-dust-pc-online-authentication-to-be-patched-out/#comments
The latest move in Ubisoft's spiteful relationship with PC players will see the company lessen its controversial DRM measures from the PC version of From Dust. The publisher stated on official forums that it's currently working on a patch, which should be available in two weeks, that will remove the need for needy online authentication.

"This development time is required as we are working to ensure that those who have already started the game, and who's progress is currently saved on our servers, will receive and save their game information locally," the statement reads. "Once the patch is ready, players who already have the game will automatically receive the update on their next login and subsequent game sessions will be 100% offline."

The problems with From Dust on PC don't end with DRM, with users reporting plenty of bugs and technical issues, which Ubisoft didn't directly address in its statement. It's hard to watch PC players being treated like this by Ubisoft -- we're available for comforting bro hugs, guys.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMfrom-dustpatchpcproject-dustUbisoftTue, 23 Aug 2011 09:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/from-dust-pc-players-erupt-in-anger-over-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/from-dust-pc-players-erupt-in-anger-over-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/from-dust-pc-players-erupt-in-anger-over-port/#comments
We try to be as even-handed as possible here at Joystiq, but we're going to give you the blunt version: If you were thinking of picking up the From Dust port on PC, you should hold off ... at least for now.

While the game doesn't force you to be constantly online to play, Ubisoft has seen fit to require a connection every time you launch the title, which isn't much better. Rock, Paper, Shotgun reports that paying players will find a capped frame rate, limited resolutions for the windowed mode, no anti-aliasing and plenty of bugs. What may be a mere annoyance for console gamers is, of course, the digital equivalent of a plague of frogs on PC.

We here at Joystiq are currently formulating a fix for the problems. True to the spirit of the game, we recommend players dump a pile of sand on their computer, and then a bunch of lava, and then reload their last save.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmfrom-dustpcsteamubisoftThu, 18 Aug 2011 09:55:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/ubisoft-from-dust-pc-will-not-require-constant-internet-connect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/ubisoft-from-dust-pc-will-not-require-constant-internet-connect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/ubisoft-from-dust-pc-will-not-require-constant-internet-connect/#comments
You can expect Ubisoft's PC DRM scheme to remain in the news for as long as it requires a consistent online connection to play, and for as long as its implementation remains inconsistent. The upcoming PC version of Driver: San Francisco will require an importunate online link if you want to keep going, but world-shaper From Dust will not.

Speaking to Joystiq, a Ubisoft representative confirmed that the PC version of From Dust, which should be out on August 17, won't have the DRM cranked to maximum level. "Constant internet connection won't be necessary when playing From Dust's campaign and challenge mode on the PC."

You'll note the specific language there, which may refer to a potential multiplayer mode that was mentioned by From Dust designer Eric Chahi last year. For now, though, we're happy to report that you can keep playing god, even if your connection to our modern deity has faltered.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmfrom-dustpcproject-dustubisoftThu, 04 Aug 2011 21:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/from-dust-pc-gets-ubisoft-drm-steam-pre-purchase-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/from-dust-pc-gets-ubisoft-drm-steam-pre-purchase-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/from-dust-pc-gets-ubisoft-drm-steam-pre-purchase-bonus/#comments
For being such wildly different games, From Dust and Driver: San Francisco sure have a lot in common. They were both recently delayed, for example, and now news has hit that From Dust will follow Driver's lead by making use of Ubisoft's ubiquitous "Ubisoft Online Service" digital rights management platform.

Unlike Driver, however, no announcement was made regarding From Dust's DRMyness; Steam's now-live pre-purchase page unceremoniously broke the news to the PC gaming community. The controversial DRM platform requires a permanent internet connection in order to play any game it governs, and while the company has loosened restrictions on high-profile games in the past, it's unclear whether or not history will repeat itself. For now, take solace in knowing that your pre-purchase will net you a "Mask of the Shaman" item for Team Fortress 2.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driver-san-franciscoDRMfrom-dustpcPre-Orderpre-order-bonusproject-dustSteamTeam-Fortress-2UbisoftSat, 30 Jul 2011 16:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/ubisoft-says-always-on-drm-is-a-success-fans-are-confused/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/ubisoft-says-always-on-drm-is-a-success-fans-are-confused/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/ubisoft-says-always-on-drm-is-a-success-fans-are-confused/#comments
Ubisoft riled the masses with news that Driver: San Francisco will have always-on DRM, requiring that players be constantly connected to the internet for the game to function. Ubisoft has used constant DRM in previous titles, such as Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction, arguing it combats piracy. Players argue DRM is an unfair, frustrating hassle, and Ubisoft is now counter-arguing this point, with the announcement that always-on DRM has been "a success."

Ubisoft said it has seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success," speaking with PC Gamer. Ubisoft has also successfully angered many fans, who say its DRM policies only hurt those who pay for the game, and citing previous DRM titles that have been cracked, pirated and hacked anyway.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins-Creed-2Assassins-Creed-iidriver-san-franciscoDRMdsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3splinter-cell-convictionUbisoftwiixboxSat, 30 Jul 2011 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/pc-version-of-driver-san-francisco-needs-permanent-internet-con/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/pc-version-of-driver-san-francisco-needs-permanent-internet-con/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/pc-version-of-driver-san-francisco-needs-permanent-internet-con/#comments
No matter how quickly and adeptly you control your vehicle in the PC version of Driver: San Francisco, there's one thing you won't be able to get away from: the internet. In a brief missive on the Driver Twitter account, an Ubisoft rep confirmed that the "PC version requires permanent internet connection." Ubisoft previously used this DRM scheme for high-profile games, but has since loosened the restriction for many releases. Not this one!

The console versions have a different online scheme: they'll be the first Ubisoft releases to use the "Uplay Passport," a one-time-use code included with new copies that unlocks multiplayer access.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driver-san-franciscodrmpcreflections-interactiveubisoftWed, 27 Jul 2011 10:10:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/ac-brotherhood-murders-always-on-drm-stalks-pc-on-march-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/ac-brotherhood-murders-always-on-drm-stalks-pc-on-march-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/ac-brotherhood-murders-always-on-drm-stalks-pc-on-march-22/#comments
Ubisoft has confirmed with Joystiq that the PC version of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood will be playable in offline single-player mode after an initial login, quelling fears that Brotherhood would employ the same restrictive DRM as Assassin's Creed 2. Additionally, the PC version of Brotherhood will arrive on March 22 (a few days later than the previously suggested date). You may want to use those few extra days to sharpen your cutlery and brush up on your Italiano -- or, like, go to the Olive Garden for dinner or something.

Ubisoft has also detailed the technical specifications (posted after the break) required to play Brotherhood on a PC, as well as two retail versions of the PC release: a standard edition for $50, which includes the twomultiplayer updates and the Da Vinci Disappearance DLC; and a digital-only "Deluxe Edition" for $60 that adds two extra multiplayer characters, two single-player maps, an extra skin and "additional multimedia content."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedAssassins-Creed-Brotherhoodda-vinci-disappearancedigital-deluxe-editiondrmpcq1-2011release-datespecial-editionsystem-requirementsubisoftubisoft-montrealTue, 22 Feb 2011 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/ubisoft-relaxes-its-always-on-internet-pc-game-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/ubisoft-relaxes-its-always-on-internet-pc-game-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/ubisoft-relaxes-its-always-on-internet-pc-game-drm/#comments
Despite publicly sticking by its internet connection-required DRM security, Ubisoft recently and quietly patched out the connection requirement, affecting "a few" of its PC titles, including both Splinter Cell: Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2. The publisher confirmed as much with Joystiq this morning, noting that the removal is on a "case-by-case" basis and, perhaps in a bid to save face, added that "from the beginning we said that we might choose to patch out games at some point."

Forthcoming Ubisoft PC titles could still contain the highly restrictive DRM, but given that RUSE released this past summer with only Valve's DRM in place, Ubisoft may continue to spare its future PC releases from the grip of its hated, hacked and restrictivesolution.

Ubisoft's RUSE will not use the publisher's controversial "always on" DRM when the game attempts to make its latest release date in September. Instead, the PC version of RUSE will use Valve's Steamworks API to, as the publisher puts it, "offer the best community experience to players." The game will require an initial online activation, but the single-player game should be playable offline thereafter.

Following up with Ubisoft, the company tells Joystiq that it will "continue to use the Ubisoft protection system for most PC games." We'll have to wait and see if the publisher stands by its DRM policies for future high-profile PC titles, or if its commentary is just a, well, you know.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMpcRTSRUSESteamworksUbisoftThu, 12 Aug 2010 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/ubisoft-always-on-drm-hated-hacked-circle-of-life-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/ubisoft-always-on-drm-hated-hacked-circle-of-life-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/ubisoft-always-on-drm-hated-hacked-circle-of-life-continues/#comments
Ah, the circle of life. Here's how it works: Game developers claim they've created some sort of unbreakable DRM that will lock pirates out, and then the pirates break their way in, leading to even more repressive forms of DRM. The snake has eaten its own tail once again, as Ubisoft's "Online Services Network" - also known as the obnoxious "always on" DRM that's already caused problems for paying customers - has reportedly been hacked. The hack, by a group named Skid Row allows users to circumvent the DRM entirely and play the affected games without connecting to Ubisoft's authentication servers.

In a statement attached to the crack's release, Skid Row proclaims that their crack "can't be compared" to other ways of hacking the games (which include having the software check in with an unofficial server), and that Ubisoft should "next time focus on the game and not on the DRM. It was probably horrible for all legit users. We just make their lifes [sic] easier."

This crack is specifically for Assassin's Creed II but if the method works, it could theoretically be tweaked to include all of the games protected in this manner, including the upcoming Splinter Cell: Conviction. And thus, the circle, the circle of life continues on.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-onassassins-creed-2authentication-servercrackedcrackersdrmhackedhackersonline-services-networkskid-rowsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftThu, 22 Apr 2010 20:14:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-dev-defends-ubisofts-always-on-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-dev-defends-ubisofts-always-on-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-dev-defends-ubisofts-always-on-drm/#comments
Though public opinion is almost unanimously against Ubisoft's current DRM solution, which forces players to have a constant internet connection in order to play the PC versions of the company's games, Splinter Cell: Conviction creative director Max Béland recently voiced his support for the anti-piracy protocols. "We consider that protecting our PC games is vital to our business and will allow us to continue investing in the development of creative and innovative games on the PC platform," Béland explained in an interview with VG247.

To Béland's credit, Ubisoft's new DRMscheme -- which Conviction will implement when its PC iteration hits store shelves April 27 -- has proven very effective at "protecting" the company's PC games. Seriously, we hear they're hard to get into. Like, really hard. Really, really hard.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmmax-belandmaxime-belandpiracyprotectionSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftFri, 16 Apr 2010 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/settlers-7-still-plagued-with-drm-problems-two-weeks-after-launc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/settlers-7-still-plagued-with-drm-problems-two-weeks-after-launc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/07/settlers-7-still-plagued-with-drm-problems-two-weeks-after-launc/#comments
We love the anticipation that builds up in the weeks leading up to the launch of a new game in one of our favorite franchises. That's why we think Ubisoft has stumbled upon a really clever marketing technique with its real-time strategy PC title, Settlers 7, which many users (about 50 pages worth on this forum thread) are still unable to access two weeks after the game launched due to problems with Ubisoft's DRM authentication servers.

A Ubisoft rep commented on the issues to Eurogamer, explaining, "our technical teams have made progress but we are not yet able to say that the issue is completely resolved." Hey guys, take your time. Just keep letting that anticipation build up in your player base. Once they're finally able to play, we're sure they'll thank you for the extended expectancy.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>authenticationblue-bytedrmreal-time-strategysettlers-7strategyubisoftWed, 07 Apr 2010 14:20:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/splinter-cell-pc-delay-attributed-to-polish-not-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/splinter-cell-pc-delay-attributed-to-polish-not-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/splinter-cell-pc-delay-attributed-to-polish-not-drm/#commentsThe PC version of Splinter Cell: Conviction will arrive on April 27, two weeks after the Xbox 360 version. You might have assumed that the extra time was required to implement Ubisoft's overprotective DRM, which requires a constant internet connection to play a game, but according to Ubisoft, that's not the case.

"The reason that has been given for the delay is that the extra time was need to polish and debug the game," a Ubisoft rep told Eurogamer. "The slip has not been linked to the DRM." While the DRM isn't the reason you'll be waiting to play the PC version of Splinter Cell: Conviction for most of April, it could very well be the reason you won't be able to play the game once it's been released.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaysdrmsplinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftubisoft-montrealFri, 02 Apr 2010 09:59:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/server-error-preventing-australians-from-playing-the-settlers-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/server-error-preventing-australians-from-playing-the-settlers-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/server-error-preventing-australians-from-playing-the-settlers-7/#commentsUbisoft's PC game DRM has done an excellent job of keeping people from playing its games. Sadly, the people barred from the games are the ones who actually purchase them. The latest issue to pop up involves the Australian release of The Settlers 7. Players are reporting that the game pops up a "Server not available" message after the initial loading screen, preventing the game from even starting.

The culprit this time isn't exactly the always-on nature of the DRM: it's an issue with authenticating multiplayer profiles ... which, unfortunately, is done before the single-player game can start. Ubisoft released a new patch today, but apparently it's still not fixing the issue. However, users have reported that Ubisoft can resolve the issue if called. If you want to play Settlers 7 today, you may have to settle for talking to tech support about it.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaBlue-Byte-SoftwaredrmstrategyThe-SettlersThe-Settlers-7-Paths-to-a-KingdomubisoftThu, 01 Apr 2010 19:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/ubisoft-compensating-pc-gamers-for-drm-server-outage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/ubisoft-compensating-pc-gamers-for-drm-server-outage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/ubisoft-compensating-pc-gamers-for-drm-server-outage/#comments
Ubisoft is trying to make amends to legitimate PC gamers that were blocked out of recent DRM-enabled titles due to a recent server outage. Hackers, angry at Ubisoft's draconian DRM protocol, which requires a persistent internet connection, even for single player games -- knocked out the publisher's authentication servers, preventing owners of games like Assassin's Creed II from being able to play at all.

While Ubisoft has modified its DRM protocol, it doesn't seem the publisher has any plans to discontinue using it any time soon. In light of the recent outage, the publisher has started to send letters offering gamers either a free game or DLC, depending on the product originally purchased. A support forum for Assassin's Creed II appears to confirm that those affected by the outage may receive an offer to upgrade the standard edition to the "Black Edition," which includes additional areas not found in the original. Those that already have the Black Edition will be able to receive either HAWX, Heroes Over Europe, EndWar, or Prince of Persia.

Certainly, this is the right move for the publisher to take, offering a virtual olive branch for a policy that has only generated negative press thus far. However, the Ubisoft forums are alight with those that have yet to receive any compensatory offer. We're reaching out to Ubisoft to find out more details of this offer, and will update if we hear a response.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedassassins-creed-2compensationdrmubisoftFri, 26 Mar 2010 15:10:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/report-silent-hunter-5-recalled-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/report-silent-hunter-5-recalled-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/report-silent-hunter-5-recalled-in-germany/#commentsUbisoft has issued a recall for Collectors Edition copies of the submarine sim Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic, According to a report from the German site ComputerBase. Apparently, some offending World War II-related symbols (we're guessing swastikas) were left in some of the bonus content, which violates German law. This only affects the Collectors Edition.

The ComputerBase post briefly mentions the Ubisoft DRM that has been so problematic for players of Assassin's Creed 2 and this game, confirming that the same scheme is in use there. It must not be as bad in Germany, because someone was able to play long enough to see a swastika.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmrecallsilent-huntersilent-hunter-5simulationsubmarineubisoftFri, 12 Mar 2010 09:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/08/ubisofts-pc-drm-verification-was-out-because-servers-were-atta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/08/ubisofts-pc-drm-verification-was-out-because-servers-were-atta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/08/ubisofts-pc-drm-verification-was-out-because-servers-were-atta/#comments
Ubisoft today offered up a bit of an explanation to those of you on PCs yesterday who were desperately trying to play the publisher's games with the cumbersome new DRM (Assassin's Creed 2 and Silent Hunter 5), only to find yourselves unable to authenticate said DRM because of the outage. Apparently it was (gasp!) ... hackers! "Servers were attacked which limited service from 2:30PM to 9:00PM Paris time [8:30AM to 3:00PM ET]," the company announced via Twitter.

It also noted that most folks were unaffected by the outage, saying "95% of players were not affected, but a small group of players attempting to open a game session did receive denial of service errors." Needless to say, the company of course apologized to anyone who wasn't able to play its games yesterday. We would once again like to point out that this situation would never have occurred if such a poor DRM system weren't in place to begin with.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-2digital-rights-managementdrmhackerssilent-hunter-5twitterubisoftMon, 08 Mar 2010 13:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/07/ubisoft-drm-authentification-server-is-down-assassins-creed-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/07/ubisoft-drm-authentification-server-is-down-assassins-creed-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/07/ubisoft-drm-authentification-server-is-down-assassins-creed-2/#comments
Earlier today, our tips inbox and the official Assassin's Creed 2 forum were set ablaze by incensed owners of the PC version of the aforementioned Italian revenge epic. According to numerous reports from prospective players of the game, Ubisoft's DRM authentification servers have crashed, forcing some players to suffer lengthy login periods when booting up Assassin's Creed 2, and locking some folks out of the game entirely.

A Ubisoft representative responded to a particularly rage-filled forum thread, stating "clearly the extended downtime and lengthy login issues are unacceptable, particularly as I've been told these servers are constantly monitored." The representative added "I'll do what I can to get more information on what the issue is here first thing tomorrow and push for a resolution and assurance this won't happen in the future." We've got a really great suggestion for how to make such an assurance: Find a less abominable DRM policy.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-2bugcrashdrmerrorloginserverubisoftubisoft-montrealSun, 07 Mar 2010 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ubisoft-updates-pc-drm-denies-rumored-cracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ubisoft-updates-pc-drm-denies-rumored-cracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ubisoft-updates-pc-drm-denies-rumored-cracks/#comments
Ubisoft's new DRM program for PC games has garnered a lot of attention from the games media, thanks to its controversial mandate for a persistent internet connection. While most PC gamers likely have access to an online connection, there are concerns that a service outage -- either locally or at Ubisoft -- could lock players out of their games altogether. Even worse, players may lose progress in a game, if a connection drops before reaching a checkpoint.

It appears the publisher has addressed the latter problem, updating its DRM protocol for Assassin's Creed II with the ability to resume the game from the exact moment an internet connection was lost. Although the DRM remains draconian, it shows that Ubisoft is willing to respond to at least one of the many criticisms it has received.

It's easy to side against the French publisher, but it's also impossible ignore the PC community's continued efforts to dismantle every effort of publishers to make the platform profitable. Pirated copies of various PC games from Ubisoft are apparently making the rounds online, sparking allegations that the DRM has already been defeated. A Ubisoft spokesperson responded to Edge, stating, "this rumor is false and while a pirated version may seem to be complete at start up, any gamer who downloads and plays a cracked version will find that their version is not complete." Still, it seems pirates will continue to up their efforts against publishers -- resulting in a vicious cycle that only harms legitimate gamers.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-2drmpiracysilent-hunter-5ubisoftThu, 04 Mar 2010 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/splinter-cell-conviction-future-ubisoft-pc-games-to-use-intern/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/splinter-cell-conviction-future-ubisoft-pc-games-to-use-intern/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/splinter-cell-conviction-future-ubisoft-pc-games-to-use-intern/#comments Assassin's Creed 2 has yet to even arrive on PC, but ever since PC Gamer got an early hands-on with the final retail version, Ubisoft's ... somewhat cumbersome (to be very polite) internet-based DRM has caused a bit of a worry for some gamers. As it would seem, regardless of consumer complaint, the publisher is allegedly moving ahead with plans to implement the anti-piracy software in many of its upcoming titles.
Softpedia reports that an Ubi rep (speaking with PC Gamer) has confirmed Splinter Cell: Conviction, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic, and the recently announced Ghost Recon: Future Soldier to employ the DRM tools. The publisher also specifically pointed out that different titles handle the loss of data differently -- for instance, AC2 depends on checkpoints and The Settlers 7 saves wherever you last were -- though PC Gamer supposedly pressed for an answer to the question on all our minds: Will every PC game from Ubisoft in the future have this DRM?

Cryptically, the publisher replied, "It's hard for us to say, yes, from now until the day that we all die all of our games are going to include this but most will." While we can appreciate the efforts of publishers to diminish piracy of their games, we can't help but wonder what the logic is in seemingly frustrating your already dwindling legitimate consumer base with measures targeting the folks who probably wouldn't purchase games anyway.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondigital-rights-managementdrmpiracysplinter-cell-convictionubisoftMon, 01 Mar 2010 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/ubisoft-explains-assassins-creed-2-pc-drm-restrictions/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/ubisoft-explains-assassins-creed-2-pc-drm-restrictions/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/ubisoft-explains-assassins-creed-2-pc-drm-restrictions/#comments
Earlier this week, PC Gamer got its hands on a retail copy of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 for PC, only to discover that its digital rights management was a bit ... shall we say, "restrictive?" Aside from the initial online registration procedure, the game allegedly requires a persistent connection to the online game server in order to continue stabbing fools. In practice, this means if you were to lose the connection during play, you'd lose your progress and, if and when the connection was re-established, you'd be kicked backed to the last checkpoint -- not exactly diggable management, right?

Ars Technica followed up with Ubisoft on the DRM issue (that also affects The Settlers 7), which said, "As long as you do not quit the game, the game will continue to try to reconnect for an unlimited time ... once the game is able to reconnect, you will immediately be returned to your game ... AC2 reconnects you at the last checkpoint ... There are many checkpoints so you're back to the point where you got disconnected in no time."

Ubisoft also assured that the required internet connection speed is supposedly minimal. "Our online services platform will require a maximum of 50kbps of available bandwidth, so even with the slowest connection, gameplay won't be affected," an Ubisoft representative told Ars. That said, it seems that gamers lacking an online connection (or, say, those on a plane or in the armed forces, as Ars points out) may be out of luck if they're hoping to play Assassin's Creed 2 on PC.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedassassins-creed-2drmonlineubisoftFri, 19 Feb 2010 11:03:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/ubisoft-drm-doesnt-sound-like-such-a-good-idea-anymore/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/ubisoft-drm-doesnt-sound-like-such-a-good-idea-anymore/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/ubisoft-drm-doesnt-sound-like-such-a-good-idea-anymore/#comments
In January, Ubisoft revealed plans to streamline its DRM policy across all PC titles, making players log in to Ubisoft servers to authenticate before playing. Although it sounded dubious at first, Ubisoft's Brent Wilkinson assuaged our fears, explaining the new process would allow gamers to play on any computer and continue a game's progress through a cloud-based save system.

According to PC Gamer, tests of upcoming Ubisoft PC titles Assassin's Creed 2 and Settlers VII proved how flawed the system actually is. If, for whatever reason, your connection experiences an issue (be it router reboot or a momentary pause in connectivity) the software will immediately boot you to the main menu of the game. Oh, and all that progress you made after a previous save or checkpoint? That's gone.

But that isn't the worst part. If Ubisoft's "Master Servers" encounter any errors, then all players with working connections logged in to the servers will not be able to play their games until the servers are back online, and lose all unsaved progress if this scenario occurs during gameplay.

There is something to be said about protecting your property from rampant PC piracy, but when draconian concepts such as Ubisoft's new DRM policy are in place, the publisher seemingly punishes the players who do support its wares. The cloud concept is great, but not at the expense of saving every thirty seconds out of fear that a server on the other side of the world might decide to act up.

PC gamers have long been vocal about intrusive DRM programs hidden in their games. With illegal game downloads in the millions, publishers are desperately trying to find new solutions in the war against piracy. Ubisoft's upcoming The Settlers 7 will introduce a new DRM model for the company, one that doesn't require disc authentication and allows multiple installations across multiple systems. "If you own a hundred PCs, you can install your games on a hundred PCs," Ubisoft's Brent Wilkinson told GameSpy.

Central to Ubisoft's new DRM plan is its online integration. Like select Steam games, Ubisoft will require players to log-in with a Ubi.com account in order to play, even for single-player games. As a plus, the online connectivity allows saves to be stored on Ubisoft's servers, meaning players can resume a game from any computer they own. Wilkinson dismissed concerns that some players may not have a ready internet connection: "We think most people are going to be fine with it. Most people are always connected to an Internet connection."

But just in case you aren't, may we suggest AOL dial-up? It's the future, we swear!

Time for 0.2 percent of you to form an "online PR cabal" again? Perhaps. Ubisoft forum manager "bukowski113" has posted details about the Far Cry 2 DRM, which happens to be the same SecuROM technology tied to Spore and other EA PC (and sometimes Mac) titles. According to bukowski113:

Purchasers have up to 5 activations on 3 separate PCs

Uninstalling Far Cry 2"refunds" an activation; this process is known as "revoke" (as long as you properly uninstall the game, you'll be able to re-install it an unlimited number of times on the 3 machines)

A computer can be upgraded an unlimited number of times (using "revoke")

Ubisoft is willing to provide additional activations, if necessary

"Ubisoft is committed to the long-term support of our games: you'll always be able to play Far Cry 2"